Over the past ten years that Singapore had participated, the program has benefitted 3,580 students in Singapore with 60 Singapore students representing the country at the regional Challenge. In 2016, our Singapore Polytechnic students came in first at the regional challenge.

The Asia Pacific Regional Challenge was held in Hong Kong (2007, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016), Kuala Lumpur (2008), Singapore (2009, 2010, 2015 and 2017), and Thailand (2011). We, Singapore, will be hosting the FedEx Express/JA International Trade Challenge again this year.

The FedEx Express/JA International Trade Challenge (ITC) is an unparalleled opportunity to broaden students’ understanding of global trade and to participate in an array of stimulating activities to enhance their knowledge of product distribution, competition, pricing, promotion and sales. Simultaneously, this experience will promote the enduring qualities of teamwork, risk-taking and self-confidence.

The ITC is a competition on Market Entry Strategy. To prepare for the Market Entry Strategy, the students are required to research and synthesize detailed information related to a specific country to gain a greater understanding of international trade. The exercise stresses the elements of teamwork, competition, marketing, promotion and innovation, and it requires the students to develop a clearly written international marketing plan for a specific country that includes:

Target Market

Product Description and Strategy

Pricing Strategy

Promotion Strategy

Placing and Distribution Strategy

Financial Plan

Application of Technology

Project Timeline

Measurement of Success

As students prepare to create the distribution and logistical elements of their proposals, they will be encouraged to conduct on-line research on the international trade operations of a variety of businesses including FedEx.

​International Trade Challenge WorkshopThe competition will require students to create a comprehensive Market Entry Strategy plan and develop a well-written proposal for judging by local experts/volunteers. To ensure all the students are equipped to prepare their Market Entry Strategy plan, all student entrants for the ITC are required to attend the ITC Workshop where market entry strategy tips and the above international marketing plan criteria are covered. To qualify for the Singapore FedEx / JA International Trade Challenge 2018, one must attend the Singapore International Trade Challenge Workshop.We have 2 workshop dates catered to 2 different groups of students – students only need to attend one of the workshop dates:

Workshop 1: For polytechnic students who have taken business courses and are familiar with writing a business plan. Need to provide teacher's name for confirmation.Date: Sat 19th MayTime: 10am - 4:00pmVenue: Nanyang Polytechnic ​

Eligibility:To enter the International Trade Challenge 2018, students MUST:- Be aged 15-19 (pre-university)- Attend or have attended the Singapore International Trade Challenge Workshop (entire workshop. Attendance will be taken at the beginning, middle and end of the workshop. During the workshop, students will present a business plan developed during class - The presentation may be counted toward the scoring for the top 12 teams for the Singapore Finals).- 2 students per team for the FedEx/JA ITC Market Entry Strategy Competition

The workshop is offered free of charge but there is a SGD 25 charge per student for no shows.

​Those students who have attended the workshop in previous years and are interested to compete do not need to attend the workshop again but will need to inform us by emailing to itc@ja.org.sg. We will check the student’s name against previous year's attendance list.

Singapore International Trade Challenge After the workshop, student entrants (2 per team) will have 3 weeks to complete their Market Entry Strategy Plan where 12 finalist teams will be chosen to present their plans at the Singapore International Trade Challenge Finals to be held on Saturday 7th July 2018. From there, 3 final winning teams will be selected to represent Singapore at the Asia Pacific International Trade Challenge to be held on 12th – 16th August, 2018 in Singapore.

Asia Pacific International Trade Challenge (New Format Since 2017) The Asia Pacific International Trade Challenge will require the students to develop a specific product and create an original international marketing plan for a designated country. The students will develop a PowerPoint presentation, an advertisement for the product, and make a formal presentation to a panel of judges.

Ten countries will be represented in this competition. The 6 students who are selected as the winners from Singapore will be “mixed” to form new teams at the ITC Asia Pacific Finals. The team will remain 2 students per team. The participants at the ITC Asia Pacific Finals will have the opportunity to gain invaluable information, insights and learnings from Senior FedEx executives and expert advice from FedEx program facilitators. They will also have the opportunity to work with a student from another country to gain a global perspective. The experience will reinforce the knowledge gained and will advance the students’ critical thinking skills, comprehension of international trade and command of the lessons learned.

Scoring Rubric A scoring rubric will be utilized for the evaluation and judging of student proposals and presentations for both the Singapore and Asia Pacific International Trade Challenges. This will be shared with the students at the workshop.

Perks and PrizesAll students who sent in qualified entries will receive a certificate of participation. Certificate of merit will be awarded to the twelve shortlisted teams and a trophy will be awarded to the three final teams.

The Asia Pacific International Trade Challenge winning prizes will be an electronic device.